A picture worth 1000 words.....

Do you do facebook?

I signed up about 6 months ago, mainly to find and re connect with cousins that I have spread out all over the United States.  I seriously do not even know how many cousins I have. If I had to guess it would be about 60 on my mom and dads sides of the family.  I know very few of them "well".  So it's been fun finding them and hearing family stories.

One cousin has a LOT of photos from my Grandparents on my moms side.  She found photos of the farm that my mom grew up on and posted them  As the story was told to me, my grandparents purchased this farm in about 1940 at auction.  Their previous home had dirt floors.

I have no idea when this picture was taken but I'm sure it was long after my grandparents left the farm.  It sat empty for years after they sold it.  In the early 70's my mom took me to North Dakota and we got to go through the house.  I was about 10 years old at the time and it left such an impression on me.  I remember the built in bookcases, the leaded glass windows, the maids quarters in the attic, glass doorknobs....what 10 yr old takes note of these things?.....I wonder if this is where my obsession with old things started.

Even way back then I could picture  my mom sitting in the attic window on a rainy day reading her Old Nancy Drew Books.  She usually got one for Christmas every year, and her first one was in 1939.  

They were regular every day farmers.  They lived off their land and had to buy very little in the way of food.  Every morning and every night regardless of heat, rain or snow, they had to tend to the cows in the barn, milking etc.  No matter how tired, sick or lazy you were, there was ALWAYS work to be done.

I used to hang on to every little thread of story my mom would tell me....because I was able to visit this homestead I had created quite a story in my imagination of what it must have been like.  As her older brothers grew up and went to fight in WWII more of the workload was shifted to my mom, her sister and two younger brothers.

My cousin posted this picture on face book last week of my mom, her brothers and my grandparents.  I've never seen a picture of my mom so young.  I just stared at it and burst into tears.  Something about seeing her so young and fresh faced made me so sad.

I knew I had to get the picture to her.  I also knew she probably would not recognize even herself.  If I framed it she'd never look at it hanging on the wall.  I decided to print it out onto a pillow, that way she could keep it on her bed and look at it all day long as she catnapped.

at first there was no sign of recognition.  But as I said the names to her a few times, and gave her her glasses to put on I slowly saw the light come on in her eyes.  She got that same look in her eyes that she gets when I bring her the milkshakes.

She must have held it like this for 15 minutes or so.  Finally I propped it against the wall and the bed so she could always see it and she promptly fell asleep.  I tiptoed out and hoped it would give her sweet dreams for a long time.  

Jeg elsker deg Mom! (I love you in Norwegian)

   

Comments

[Dawn Gahan]

We're doing the same thing with my grandmother, giving her pictures and talking her through them. It's amazing to see not only the recognition in her eyes but the soft smile she makes as she sorts through the memories in her head. So special.

Your mom is lucky to have you.

Dawn

[rosa]

What a wonderful photo of your mom holding the pillow. What a great idea! You're so precious.

[mary]

I am on Facebook, and I love it for the same reasons-reconnecting with people you've lost track of over time. It's been a very good thing for me. I just loved seeing the old black and white pics. I cry about things like that too. oh, my...
I love the whole pillow idea. I think that is just perfect for your mom. And you did a beautiful job with it!

[Karen - The Graphics Fairy]

What a lovely story Robin. You were so thoughtful to make such a sweet gift for your mother! I loved the photos of the beautiful house and barn too, how exciting that you've found some family members, through Facebook, and that they had such wonderful treasures to share with you!
Hugs,
Karen

[Alison Gibbs]

It will be wonderful if it brings some memories back for you mother. Such a sweet thought
Alison

[Claudia]

Robin, this is such a lovely story. You hit on the perfect idea - to turn that photo into a pillow. It must have been so wonderful when you saw that look on your mother's face.

xo
Claudia

[Hilary Cooper-Kenny]

What a sweet story, and a beautiful gift! your mom was a lovely young girl.

[Michelle]

What a wonderful photo and such a sweet and thoughtful gift for your dear mother!
Michelle

[Dianne]

What a beautiful post... and such a meaningful gift... so lovely....

[Mechelle]

That pillow is amazing! Love it.. HOw did you print that on that fabric? What a great gift idea!
Thanks for sharing.
Mechelle

[Beth Leintz]

I loved looking at the old farm pictures and hearing about your Mom reading her Nancy Drew curled up in the window seat. How wonderful that you're able to connect with cousins that have a shared past with your Mom and give her that special pillow.

[kathy]

Funny, having never met her, and only seeing photos here, I recognized your pretty mom right away. There is a certain tugging on the heartstrings to see our parents so young and with their whole lives ahead of them. We just have to remember there were a lot of years and a lot of life lived in the years in between. You are such a loving daughter, the pillow turned out beautifully (maybe you could do a tutorial some day?) and your mom will have it there with her to enjoy any time:>)

Oh yes, I facebook, but only to stalk my kids. lol

[Account Deleted]

I love the old house and barn. I grew up on a farm in Minnesota so can relate to how there was always work to be done. The pillow was such a sweet idea, its beautiful. Amy